First period

[debjay]

I have a DD who is 11 and I want buy some sanitary towels to be ready for her first period whenever that may be (I started mine at 11).

However there seems to be loads to choose from and I am not sure which would be most suitable.

Can anyone give me some advice as to which ones their DDs use please? The ones I have bought so far seem huge.

Thanks

[Penny-Pincher!!]

My DD started at 11 (she is now 13) and she has always used the Pink packet of bodyform. They have never let her down and some months she can get quite heavy. They are also very discrete and small.

HTH

PP
xx

[tadpoleuk]

Bodyform and some other towel companies send out free sample selection packs.
http://www.bodyform.co.uk/Pages/Products/OrderSamples.aspx?id=1459

[keelykat]

Hi, try to buy the 'ultra' ones which are really thin, and go for wings so they stay put and dont slip around. Bodyform and always do great towels which dont feel too bulky.

What i think is great these days is they are in their own little packet, so you can wrap the used towel up in it afterwards, and are more descreet to keep in your bag.

Keely.

[Fen1]

Always Ultra with Wings are very good. They are much, much better than the cheaper own-brand imitations e.g Boots own. They actually work out more expensive than the Always as you have to change more often. The following link to Always has useful information that the two of you can read about what to expect about her cycle, menstruation and what types of pads there are available:


http://www.always-info.co.uk/product_14.html

[anonymousie]

DD1 is 14 and uses ultra thin with wings (except the wings are chafing so maybe she'll swap..) I just get the cheapest branded ones from home bargains- kotex usually and she is happy. I think she changes plenty often enough anyway so expensive towels wouldn't last any longer IYSWIM!

[bloomin freezing]

Most bodyform packs come with a free protective tin at the moment. I bought once recently, its pink and really pretty. Nobody would know what's inside it if it fell out of her school bag.

[noonesperfect]

Another vote for Always here! :D

IMHO better than Bodyform any day of the week, but then I'm at the opposite end of the menstrual arc to your DD!!

PS I bought some Bodyform just to get the tin, the advert with the little dog just cracked me up :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Stephb1986]

I've used alsorts always and bodyform have been the best so far for towels maybe buy her a small packet of tampax compacts too? i only went onto tampax a few months ago though and im 21! but i have got a implant so i dont get them anymore :)

Stephb xx

[mumoftwins]

My DD is 11 and started her period a week ago! I bought the Always pads without wings as I think they may be more be suitable for her as she grows - these Always normal flow pads were fairly small for a grown woman but almost too big for DD! But she found them very comfortable too.

[whatatwit]

Miss Twit uses Always, although she doesn't like the wings.

[trace_567]

Another vote for always ultra with wings here. Personally I use the normal size.
I started at 11. Now 30. Thankfully towels and tampons have greatly improved over the years.

As was suggested maybe try getting a few free samples that when the time comes she can try.

I like the ones with wings myself as it stops them from slipping or moving etc. Also added protection if its a bit heavy.

Might be worth you getting some and getting her to take 1 or 2 in her school bag. She might not start for a few years, however it would be more embarrassing for her to start at school and have nothing with her.

[trace_567]

Also when the time comes for trying out tampons I would highly recommend going for Tampax Applicator mini. They have the same absorbency as regular ones, but they are thin making it way easier to start with.

[mum2one]

my vote is bodyform 1st, ive got the coil now - so no time mth but from 11 to 33, bodyform come out tops, always are good.

I found the wings brilliant - after having daughter I had 6 mth stint of time of month, so once got rid of those lovely!!!!!!!!!!! maternity pads, back to bodyform/
Also get her some panty liners, she may just have a spot last day, not just money saving, save having towel there. highly recommend carefree liners/

Def agree with other poster. get a couple in bag ready now, I had the misfortune 1st period, school trip to France, luckly lady teacher, trying to explain to a french chemist what we wanted.......... never again.... x

[debjay]

Thanks for all the great replies. It has given me lots of ideas and have signed up for the free samples to try before we buy.
DD already has some in her school bag just in case and I got her a book about periods that was recommended on here last year.
It has hard to believe that she is at that age already though :o

[AnnieH]

My step-daughter is 11 and came over to stay with us over Christmas. My Oh found some sanitary towels in her suitcase, and was really shocked. I told him that she already wears a bra, and she's "at the right age" but I think he ws more upset at the thought of his little girl growing up IYSWIM.

[Sola]

My stepdaughter was 11 and still at primary school when she started and was so excited she phoned her Dad to tell him. Next visit she dragged him all round the supermarket discussing the pros and cons of different supplies. We'd had some in-depth discussions before she started and she was always keen to hear my experiences and those of my friends. She moved herself over to Lillets tampons after a few months; we just made sure there was a selection in the house for her to choose from.

[sazziecee]

I used always ultra when I started my periods at 11. I used to get the wings ones but I stopped for 2 reasons 1) my school skirt was a really tight one and during a science lesson a boy sat behind me told me he could see my wings!! not sure if he actually could but as I was on my period at the time it was enough to make me stop using winged towels 2) As I was not a skinny girl, not big, probably a 12/14 like now the wings used to rub on my thigh fat and give me a rash :(

For some reason from age 8 onwards I couldn't wait to start my period and had already sent off for loads of tampon samples with coupons from magazines, I had a drawer full by the time I started, lol

After about 3 months of towels I switched to tampons, non-applicator though as I found applicators harder to use (since found out I have a strangely positioned cervix so thats probably why)

I used to wear a towel at night though as for some reason I was very heavy overnight and would leak if I used a tampon

[noonesperfect]

You can get "wing-free" Always, without going to have a look in my bathroom cupboard :rolleyes: I think it's just the pale green normal pack. (I have the range! pale green, dark green, purple and dark blue for nighttime;) ). One for every occasion you might say :o .
I don't mind the wings, helps keep them in place
I remember the ones with loops and a belt :eek: and the first thick stick ons!

[keelykat]

I read yesterday on the boots grabbit board, that some always towels are 40p in boots right now-the freshelle ones with the wipes i think.

After trying out lots of brands/towels/tampons/sizes etc im happy using asda's own compact tampons and bodyform large liners (or asdas own liners). I use the liners for peace of mind, but they are small enough to feel descreet. I dont often wear towels these days in the day, as i admit i still feel a tad self conscious when using them. But ill use them at night. The larger liners are great for the days when im only spotting, so not heavy enough for a tampon (as i then feel too dry and is sore to pull out sorry for tmi!).

My mom was great, brought me all sorts of towels and tampons to try-she must have spent a fortune! but everyones different and so it sometimes takes a while to find the right products to suit you.

Keely.

[iceicebaby]

When I had my first period at 12, my mum had already bought me some towels. They were the first of the stick on ones and were like having cushions between your legs and made me feel really self concious. My older Sister then introduced me to the lil-ets mini tampons by my second period, but I still used towels at night.

These days towels are far less bulky that they were and now i only use lil-ets tampons if I am going to work or going out. If I am home or at night sleeping I use always with wings.

I think its just a matter of trying out lots of different products but dont be afraid of her trying tampons if she wants to. The little ones are really little.

[Charlie1986]

This thread has made me remember when I started my first period age 11. My parents had never really spoken about periods and I'd heard of them but didn't really know what they were. I went to the loo one day and literally thought I was bleeding to death. I remember running downstairs shouting 'mum I have blood down there!!!' :rotfl: . I started using towels, then went onto tampons but they made me have headaches and feel really down etc so now have gone back too towels, I use the pink bodyform with wings and sometimes Kotex with wings depending on which is on offer.

[veruccasalt]

I have heard recently about a new thing called a Pogo Pack-something like 'Period Pack for Girls on the Go'. Lots of DDs friends have them, I think DD wants one too, although I have just given her my free Bodyform tin, so may keep her quiet for a while!

Link to Pogo Pack is here:

http://www.pogopack.co.uk/

Seems quite expensive, but if it helps them cope with this momentous event, its money well spent to me. DD is now chewing over whether she wants to be early or late to start her periods. I have decided that if it is something she is excited about, she is going to cope well when it happens.

[whatatwit]

Gosh, the Pogo Pack is quite expensive. :eek:

Miss Twit uses a little Ted Baker bag that I got from boots, I think it was about £5 and is great for taking away as it holds quite a few Always and Tampons.

[sillyvixen]

i would get her the ultra ones, thin and in pretty packets!! more discreet not only to wear, but to cart around, and also some night time ones that she can wear overnight (thicker and more absorbant). as she gets more used to dealing her periods she may choose to try other brands or tampons. but the ulta and nightime will get her used to dealing with menstruation.

i remember my mum telling me at the age of 12 it will be like this every month till you are 50 or so and i remember thinking s**t why me!

[icheekymonkey]

Can recommend Always - regular - the light green pack. Had the same chafing problem with the winged ones as some previous posters.
Also use Tampax.

I recycled the plastic storage 'thing' that you keep baby's knife and fork set in whilst out and about to store my tampons in as just right size and don't get ripped open in your handbag.

Seems your preparing her in advance so at least it won't be a worry for her.

[keelykat]

Any cute toiletry bag will do a good job, she can say shes got make up etc in it if it fell out of her bag no one will know!

keely.